KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's foreign direct investment (FDI) increased to 614.7 billion ringgit (146.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the third quarter, from 590.3 billion ringgit in the second quarter, according to official statistics Friday.
Malaysian Statistics Department said in a statement that the manufacturing sector was the highest foreign direct investment recipient, accounted for 41.4 percent of total investment.
This followed by financial and insurance activities, which made up 22.3 percent, and wholesale and retail trade that comprised of 7.2 percent.
Meanwhile, direct investment abroad also increased to 491.3 billion ringgit (117.24 billion U.S. dollar) in the third quarter, from 481 billion ringgit in the second quarter, mainly supported by financial and insurance activities that accounted for 37.7 percent of total investment.
This was followed by mining and quarrying (16.7 percent) and agriculture sectors (8.1 percent).
Singapore remained as the main destination of direct investment abroad, followed by Indonesia.
